Driver Education Section VI Day 2 - Adverse Driving Conditions

DE SOL 13 The student will identify changes in the environment that affect visibility and traction and demonstrate an understanding of appropriate driver reaction to these risks a. driving at night b. smoke and weather related conditions c. road conditions and construction

Module Objectives Recognize driver and vehicular limitations in reduced-visibility driving conditions and evaluate and execute appropriate response times Describe extreme weather conditions relative to driving and evaluate and execute appropriate responses

Day 2–Adverse Driving Conditions Bell Ringer – #2 Which tire (bald or with tread) would be better to have on your car? Which one would work better on a race car? Explain your answers.

DMV Manual p Answer the following questions using the DMV manual. Write the questions and answers 1. What is the biggest contributor to motor vehicle crashes? 2. List 3 situations when you should use your headlights. 3. What should your first response be when driving in bad weather? What should you do with your following distance? 4. During what time of day should you turn on your headlights?

5. At what following distance should you use your low beam headlights? 6. Why is it recommended that you use your low beam headlights when driving in bad weather? 7.At what distance is it safe to use your high beam headlights when approaching another car? 8.During rain, when is it the most slippery on the roadways? 9.What part of the roadway tends to ice earlier during freezing weather conditions? Why?

Answers to Questions 1.Failing to identify a risk 2.Rain, fog, snow, sleet, visibility reduced to less than 500 ft., and when you use windshield wipers for bad weather 3.Slow down and increase following distance from 3 to 6 seconds 4.Sunset to sunrise

5. Within 200 ft of vehicle ahead 6. Weather reflects light ft. 8. During the first 30 minutes because of oil mixing with water 9. Bridges and shady areas

Adverse Driving Conditions Night Driving –Glare –Low & High Beam Headlights Fog Rain Snow/Ice Other Hazardous Conditions –Sand/dust –Wind –Floods –Extreme Temperatures

Night Driving Glare –When the sun’s rays, street sign or lights, or headlights of another vehicle shine directly into your windshield. COPY THIS SECTION

Sources of Glare Oncoming and following vehicle headlights High Beam Headlights Misaligned Headlights Dirty Windshield Paper on dashboard Facing the sun at sunrise or sunset Flashing advertisement Night Driving COPY THIS SECTION

Avoiding Glare 1.Slow Down and look to the right side of the road; make brief glances ahead to monitor path of travel 2.Use BGE mirror settings Night Driving COPY THIS SECTION

Night Driving Headlights The Code of Virginia requires That you use your headlights from sunset to sunrise and during inclement (bad) weather, such as rain, fog, snow, or when you use your windshield wipers. At twilight, when the sun light begins to fade, turn your headlights ON. This will make your vehicle more visible to others. COPY THIS SECTION

Night Driving reduces the illumination of risks. requires the eyes to adjust quickly to glare. places limitations on gathering and processing information in time. The ability to identify risks depends on vision, and visual acuity is severely limited at night. Driving at night: When visibility is reduced at night a driver needs more time to: identify hazards early and scan in and around the path of travel to the target area, and scan the road beyond the lighted zone. (If you only scan the lighted zone you may miss important clues that warn you of hazards ahead.)

Night Driving Visibility Limitations at Night The distance you can see ahead is inadequate at higher speeds The distance you can see ahead is inadequate at higher speeds Your headlights provide limited illumination of off- road areas Your headlights provide limited illumination of off- road areas A loss of contrast impairs your ability to judge distances A loss of contrast impairs your ability to judge distances Blinded by glare from lights of oncoming and following vehicles Blinded by glare from lights of oncoming and following vehicles Distance traveled during glare recovery time Distance traveled during glare recovery time

Head Light Alignment & Speed Properly aligned LOW BEAM headlights  beam hits roadway 100 to 150 feet ahead  illuminates area above road 300 to 500 feet ahead  load, load distribution, and vehicle height affect light beam distance  a maximum safe speed of 40 to 45 mph is based on your ability to stop within the lighted area lighted area above road 300 to 500 feet illuminated roadway 100 to 150 feet

Head Light Alignment & Speed Properly Aligned High Beam Headlights illuminated roadway 300 to 500 feet lighted area above road 500 to 1800 feet the beam hits the roadway 300 to 500 feet ahead illuminates the area above the road 500 to 1800 feet ahead load, load distribution, and vehicle height affect light beam distance maximum safe speed is 65 mph based on your ability to stop within the lighted area

Head Light Alignment & Speed Lower (dim) high-beams headlights when you are: high-beams headlights when you are: within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle following closely behind another vehicle (within 200 feet) driving on lighted roadways driving in fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, or dust

Head Light Alignment & Speed Overdriving your headlights Your vehicle’s stopping distance is greater than the distance lighted by your headlights. To determine if you are overdriving your headlights, select an object the moment the headlights pick it up, and count off six seconds.  The posted speed limits are calculated for daylight driving and are often too fast for nighttime conditions.  Dirty headlights and improper headlight alignment will add to this traffic safety problem.  If the object is still ahead of your vehicle, you are driving at a safe speed.  If you have passed it, you are driving too fast.

Class Work #3 Read Pages 218 and 219 “Driving Safely at low light and at night” Come up with an answer to the Picture. (219) “What Would You Do?” 1. List the visibility problems you face 2. Explain how you can manage time and space to reduce your risk.

FOG Fog Reflects light and can reflect your own headlights back into your eyes. Use low beam headlights only and look for road edge markings to guide you. Even light fog reduces visibility and your ability to judge distances, so slow down.

FOG Slow down Make sure your headlights are on low beam (aimed at the road surface) to reduce the amount of light/glare reflected back at you Turn on your windshield wipers If necessary, turn on the defroster or air conditioner Driving in Drifting Fog

FOG  Reduce speed, but NEVER stop in a travel lane  Turn on emergency flashers  Look for an exit from the highway stop beyond end of guard rail back up to outboard of the guard rail turn off all lights wait for the fog to lift Driving in Heavy Fog If impossible to leave highway

Rain Use your low beam headlights when driving in rain Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. particularly the first 15 minutes of rain after a long dry period when oil and rubber particles have collected on the road surface and mix with waterparticularly the first 15 minutes of rain after a long dry period when oil and rubber particles have collected on the road surface and mix with water

Snow Before you start driving remove snow and ice from your entire car, including the roof, hood and rear of the vehicle. Be sure to clear all your windows, side view mirrors and front and rear lights of snow or ice so you can see and communicate with other drivers.

Slow down before stopping or turning. –When you brake, apply the brakes gently. On slippery surfaces, you have the most traction and control when the front tires are rolling. Therefore, your vehicle will respond more effectively to steering than braking. Snow

Snow & Ice

Class Work #4 Read “Minimizing Risk in Rain And Snow” –Answer Lesson 3 Review Questions 1 & 2. Question 1 – Write down all Six that are listed Answer question 2 as is.

Adverse Weather Conditions WINTER DRIVING In winter it is even more important to check that your vehicle is well maintained and serviced so plan ahead Keep your lights, windows and mirrors clear from ice and snow Add anti-freeze to your car radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottle Make sure that your wipers and lights are in good working order Check that your tires have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure Listen to weather and travel reports for forecast and road condition information Carry warm clothing, blankets, hot drinks, a torch and suitable footwear If you have to make a journey in bad weather then make sure you tell someone where you are going and what route you plan to take

Visibility Limitations in Bad Weather Slow down to accommodate shortened sight distance Do not stop in travel lane or on shoulder Turn headlights to low beams Turn on emergency flashers when traveling below speed limit Maintain appropriate lane position If your stopping distance is longer than your sight distance, you have created a high risk situation – slow down

Precautions in Bad Weather Turn on windshield wipers Be alert for vehicles stopped on the roadway Be prepared for effects of gusting or strong steady crosswinds Make all steering, accelerating, and braking actions gently and smoothly

Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Extreme Temperatures Floods Wind Sand and Dust

Flooding Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Flash Flooding Conditions Not Specific to Time of Year Affects braking, steering and engine systems

Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Flooding Nearly 50% of flash flood fatalities are vehicle related Search for flood prone areas: - highway dips - bridges - low areas Most vehicles will float Very little water on the road surface can cause loss of control Hydroplaning

Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Flooding  Two feet of water “carries” most cars  Because visibility is limited at night, driving during flooding condition is very dangerous  Pay attention to all flash flood watches and warnings  Monitor road conditions through the news media

Extreme Temperatures Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Additional Demands on Vehicle Systems In Extreme Weather… Check tires Check tires Check fluids Check fluids Check belts Check belts Vehicles are designed to operate in a wide range of temperatures, from very hot to extremely cold. However, these extreme conditions can cause stress to any vehicle part that is temperature sensitive.

Cold Weather Precautions Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Tires should be balanced, aligned,Tires should be balanced, aligned, the proper type, and have adequate tread - The legal minimum, 2/32 of an inch tread depth, is inadequate on wet surfaces Check tire inflationCheck tire inflation - Check cold tire pressure regularly (noted inside driver’s door or in manual) - The maximum tire pressure listed on the tire sidewalls is NOT the recommended tire pressure Check radiator coolant, hoses, and connectionsCheck radiator coolant, hoses, and connections

Cold Weather Checks Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Check heater, defroster and air conditioner system Check heater, defroster and air conditioner system Winterized windshield wiper fluid Winterized windshield wiper fluid Check drive belts for tension and wear Check drive belts for tension and wear Keep lights and glass areas clear and clean Keep lights and glass areas clear and clean Check windshield wiper blades Check windshield wiper blades

Hot Weather Checks Other Hazardous Weather Conditions Tire inflation needs special attention Tire inflation needs special attention Underinflated tires are subject to heat and pressure buildup due to excessive flex especially when driving for extended distances at higher speeds. The air conditioner, radiator coolant hoses, connections, and drive belts need special attention. due to the extra load placed on these cooling systems.

Read “Other Hazardous Weather Conditions” Answer Lesson 4 Review Questions 1&2 Class Work #5 Other hazardous weather conditions – Sand & Dust, Wind

Adverse Weather Driving Clip

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